United Airlines reported its full-year 2022 financial results on January 17, in which the airline recorded an annual nett profit for the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, achieving a profit of US$737 million. The last annual profit it made was slightly over $3bn, achieved in 2019.
In 2022, United saw an increase of 19.5% over the 2019 figure, in Total Revenue per Available Seat Mile (TRASM).
It also released its fourth-quarter results, which saw the carrier grow operating revenue by 14% and TRASM growth of 26% over the same quarter in 2019. In the fourth quarter, United achieved a nett profit of US$843m, 31,5% above 2019’s fourth quarter profit.
During the key holiday travel days between December 21 and 26, nearly 36% of all United flights were exposed to severe weather. However, 90% of customers still made it to their destination within four hours of their scheduled arrival time.
"Thank you to the United team that, last month, managed through one of the worst weather events in my career to deliver for so many of our customers and get them home for the holidays," says United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby. “We're now poised to accelerate in 2023.”
Highlights from 2022 include the carrier’s order for 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners with options to purchase 100 more – the largest widebody order by a US carrier in commercial aviation history.
One hundred Boeing 737 MAX aircraft were also added to the fleet.
The airline opened the United Aviate Academy, becoming the only major US airline to own a flight training school, with an inaugural pilot class composed of 80% women and people of colour.
United also hosted the first Eco-Skies Alliance Summit, bringing together leaders, corporate customers and senior US government officials for discussions on sustainable aviation fuel, best practices of how to reduce carbon emissions from flying, and how to collaborate on future sustainability solutions.
